Eddie Howe singles out the Newcastle United player who has 'come on leaps and bounds'

EDDIE Howe believes Jacob Murphy has "come on leaps and bounds" since he took charge at Newcastle United - with the winger showing why he remains a big part of his manager's plans with his brilliant brace against Leicester City.

Murphy played a starring role in Saturday's success against the Foxes, scoring the crucial opener and rounding off the win with the fourth goal before he was replaced.

Howe wants to sign a right winger in the January transfer window but as things stand Murphy is first choice on that flank and will start his fourth consecutive game when Brentford visit St James' Park for the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night.

"I'm really pleased because every attacking player needs to feel they're contributing and naturally you contribute in assists and goals," said Howe.

"He got two assists last week, that wasn't lost on me. But ultimately nothing beats scoring, so for him to score two after missing a couple of chances early on shows his mental qualities and resilience. Two great finishes.

"He's a really valuable player because wherever you put him or whatever you ask him to do, he does it to the best of his ability.

"For me he's come on leaps and bounds since I've been here, but he has to feel that feeling of contribution so today was important."

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Howe was also delighted with the display of Sandro Tonali against Leicester.

The midfielder, playing in the No.6 role, enjoyed one of his best performances in black and white. Howe has long believed Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton can be effective as a trio and thinks he's now starting to be proven right.

“I thought Sandro was very good today," said Howe.

"He obviously plays the position of the number six very differently to Bruno, but equally as effectively. You have two different ways of playing the position, but I think both are very, very efficient and very good in different ways.

“I thought he covered the ground really well today. His athletic performance again was very, very good and he's just very intelligent with the ball.

“He makes good decisions and he definitely has come into the team in that position and give us a really good outlook. I'm excited by how the midfield three is looking."